بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 1
Translations
In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Transliteration
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This is the Basmalah (بسملة), the opening invocation meaning 'In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.' According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this phrase establishes the foundational principle that all actions and recitations should begin with remembrance of Allah and His mercy. The two names ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim both derive from the root 'mercy' (rahmah), emphasizing Allah's infinite compassion and bounty as the basis for all His creation and revelation.
Revelation Context
While the entire Surah Al-Fatihah is Meccan, the Basmalah specifically was revealed as the opening formula for the Quran itself, establishing the practice of beginning all surahs (except Surah At-Tawbah) with this invocation. It serves as an introduction not only to Al-Fatihah but to the entire Quranic message, framing the divine guidance that follows within the context of Allah's mercy.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Every important matter that does not begin with the remembrance of Allah (Basmalah) is incomplete.' Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi records that the Prophet emphasized the importance of beginning actions with Bismillah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Beginning all actions—whether spiritual or mundane—with the remembrance of Allah's mercy cultivates consciousness of His presence and invokes His blessings upon our endeavors. This simple yet profound practice transforms our daily activities into acts of worship and reminds us that all good comes from Allah's infinite compassion.